uncommon jewelry designs, fine art photography &  adult and youth jewelry classes

San Diego, CA  Visual Artist  & Educator Denise J. Bonaimo

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Pendant with Wire “Z” Crimp

This simple technique makes an attractive pendant out of any bead with a hole or a finished dangle for an earring (without the use of a headpin). Follow Steps 1-8 of of Basic Wire Wrapped Loop (make your Loop a bit larger so it functions as a Bail, then you can slide it on a cord or chain.) Then proceed here:

1) Slide your bead on the wire until it touches the wire wraps.

2) Bend the wire around to the front of the bead.

3) Guide the wire snugly up the face of the bead and wrap it 1 time around the neck, right below the loop (bail), on top of your existing wraps.

4) Snip any excess wire with your wire cutters. (Use the blunt edge towards the unit.)

5) Tuck in the tail of the wire using your chain nose pliers. Run you finger over the edge to make sure it isn’t sharp.

6) You can stop there or add a decorative touch to the wire that runs up the face of the bead:

• Use your round nose pliers; place them on each side of the wire.
• Squeeze the pliers gently and rotate them a half turn to create a small “Z” crimp in to the wire.

7) Press the wire on the face of the bead with the back of your rubber handled pliers or fingers so it becomes flush.

Tip: The tips of your pliers can be sharp, be careful not to scrape your bead or stone.

Denise J. Bonaimo
Jewelry Designer and Instructor
www.bonaimo.com
artdiva@bonaimo.com